Answer:
271.862 N/m
Explanation:
From Hook's Law,
mgh = 1/2ke²............... Equation 1
Where
m = mass of the ball, g = acceleration due to gravity, k = spring constant, e = extension, h = height fro which the ball was dropped.
Making k the subject of the equation,
k =2mgh/k²....................... Equation 2
Note: The potential energy of the ball is equal to the elastic potential energy of the spring.
Given: m = 60.3 g = 0.0603 kg, g = 9.8 m/s², e = 4.68317 cm = 0.0468317 m, h = 53.7 cm = 0.537 m
Substitute into equation 2
k = 2(0.0603)(9.8)(0.537)/0.048317²
k = 0.6346696/0.0023345
k = 271.862 N/m
